Veronik Verkest

I work in partnership with you to deeply understand your unique experiences and discover habitual patterns ('seen' or 'unseen') that may be holding you back. Through respectful exploration I can help you find more fulfilling ways of being. Through this process of transformation, you will discover a greater freedom of being more authentic with self and others.
I have a special interest in the impact of chronic trauma and stress on the mind-body.

MODALITIES / Approach

As a somatic psychotherapist, I believe the body (soma in Greek) and its sensations are an integral part of my work. Using mindfulness and self-psychology, I apply the latest developments in neurobiology, trauma, development & attachment theory to
- Help develop self awareness at a mind/body level
- Deepen relations with your self & others
- Increase your sense of freedom & creativity
- Help you let go of your emotionally and mentally limiting patterns
- Help you connect with your authentic self

Professional Associations

Australian Somatic Psychotherapy Association

Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia

International Association for Psychoanalytic Self Psychology

Quality Provision

As an associate member of the Australian Somatic Psychotherapy Association and provisional member of PACFA, I continue to undertake professional development training, including regular clinical supervision of my work and my own psychotherapy to help me to continue to grow personally. I practice in accordance with the stringent ethical guidelines of the ASPA and PACFA associations.

Background

I worked in the corporate world for 15 years, seemingly having a good life until chronic illness struck. This led me on a path of self exploration and a deeper understanding of the impact of trauma and stress on the mind-body.

I discovered the benefits of Somatic Psychotherapy, mindfulness meditation and AcuEnergetics first hand. As I remembered to listen to my body's sensations & accepted disowned parts of my self, my way of being in the world changed. I am passionate about sharing this learning.

Appointments

Monday to Friday
8 am - 7 pm

Transport and Parking

2-5 min walk from bus stops on Paramatta Road.
Unmetered 1hr as well as all day Street Parking in Arundel Street.

Fees

Reduced fee for the first session.
$150 for 60 minutes (thereafter)

Payment Options

Cash, Cheque, Electronic transfer

Languages

English

Dutch

French

Website

10 Questions with Veronik Verkest

What led you to choose psychotherapy or counselling as a profession?

After a difficult period in my work life, I physically became unwell and was eventually diagnosed with a chronic illness. My habitual way of pushing through difficulties and ignoring my body signals was no longer helpful. With the help of a somatic psychotherapist, I started to come back to listen to my body and process the emotional pain I had habitually pushed aside. As my relationship with my self and others transformed, I wished to share my excitement with others. This path led me to train as a relational somatic psychotherapist.

I have been influenced by Husserl and his philosophy of phenomenology. This sees me accepting and staying with each individual's subjective reality rather than 'treating' the individual as an object where symptoms are seen as problems to be fixed.

I have also been influenced by the existential philosophers. For example, Maurice Merleau-Ponty who emphasised that the body is most important in knowing the world. As a somatic psychotherapist I track what is happening in the client's body and assist the client to start to trust their own inner wisdom. The body's sensations and emotions are happening in the moment and are a gateway to the unconscious, which can be incongruent with the client's words. By tracking the sensations and attuning to the emotions of the client, unprocessed memories can start to be integrated into the client's holistic self.

Existential, mindfulness, psychodynamic, gestalt, self psychology.
I work from an intersubjective perspective, attending to each individual subjective experience from a body and mind perspective.

Which particular aspects of health or the human journey are you interested in?

I am passionate about helping individuals find new meaning on their unique life journey. Too often, there is no one to hear our painful story. My aim is to help others to feel heard and seen - to work together to uncover hidden parts of self so that these maybe integrated into the client's whole self.

I have a particular interest in easing the impact of stress and trauma on the mind-body.

What method/s do you use?

We work together using intersubjective mindfulness to understand your unique ways of being in relation to others. Some of the ways of being are adaptive strategies that worked well in their past (when the brain developed very fast aged 0-2) but are no longer useful today. We explore alternative ways of being, responding rather than reacting from habitual ways.

My approach is iinter-subjective, dynamic and brings in recent finding in neurobiology, trauma theory and attachment theory as required.

When do you think the client will start to feel that progress is being made?

Each client is unique and progress will depend on what the objectives are for the client.
Most clients find that six-12 sessions gives them a sense of how progress is in process.

How has therapy made you a better person?

Therapy has opened my heart to more fully accept different parts of me and in turn others, with curiosity and without judgement. Therapy has enabled me to deeply listen to my body and trust my inner voice.

What do you like most about being a therapist?

I feel privileged to have my clients trust me to walk with them on their unique journey so that together we discover more bout their sense of self.

Do you ever have 'bad hair' days?

We all have times when we experience challenges. They make us feel frustrated, sad or lost. This is part of being human.

What do you think is the most significant problem we face, in the world today?

Global warming and our view of unlimited growth that cannot be sustained with limited resources on this planet.

Limited natural resources to feed and shelter an ever expanding population is one of the most significant problems we face today.

Trauma and the impact on individuals who in turn perpetuate more trauma on others via wars, murder, violence etc.

Can you share the name of a book, film, song, event or work of art that inspires you?

I am inspired by
- painter Fred Williams and his ability to see and reproduce the many variations of the colours of Australian nature.
- Erik Satie and his minimal sounds that resonate at a deep level
- Virginia Woolf and her way with words in novels such as Orlando

Veronik Verkest

Psychotherapist, Somatic Psychotherapist

I am passionate about helping you to resolve the impact of trauma on the mind-body. Early life experiences greatly influence how we experience life today. Therapy gradually helps unshackle us from the past, so we are free to respond rather than re-act to life events and loved ones.

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